RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 National and regional asthma programmes in Europe JF European Respiratory Review JO EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY REVIEW FD European Respiratory Society SP 474 OP 483 DO 10.1183/16000617.00008114 VO 24 IS 137 A1 Selroos, Olof A1 Kupczyk, Maciej A1 Kuna, Piotr A1 Łacwik, Piotr A1 Bousquet, Jean A1 Brennan, David A1 Palkonen, Susanna A1 Contreras, Javier A1 FitzGerald, Mark A1 Hedlin, Gunilla A1 Johnston, Sebastian L. A1 Louis, Renaud A1 Metcalf, Leanne A1 Walker, Samantha A1 Moreno-Galdó, Antonio A1 Papadopoulos, Nikolaos G. A1 Rosado-Pinto, José A1 Powell, Pippa A1 Haahtela, Tari YR 2015 UL http://err.ersjournals.com/content/24/137/474.abstract AB This review presents seven national asthma programmes to support the European Asthma Research and Innovation Partnership in developing strategies to reduce asthma mortality and morbidity across Europe. From published data it appears that in order to influence asthma care, national/regional asthma programmes are more effective than conventional treatment guidelines. An asthma programme should start with the universal commitments of stakeholders at all levels and the programme has to be endorsed by political and governmental bodies. When the national problems have been identified, the goals of the programme have to be clearly defined with measures to evaluate progress. An action plan has to be developed, including defined re-allocation of patients and existing resources, if necessary, between primary care and specialised healthcare units or hospital centres. Patients should be involved in guided self-management education and structured follow-up in relation to disease severity. The three evaluated programmes show that, thanks to rigorous efforts, it is possible to improve patients' quality of life and reduce hospitalisation, asthma mortality, sick leave and disability pensions. The direct and indirect costs, both for the individual patient and for society, can be significantly reduced. The results can form the basis for development of further programme activities in Europe.Current asthma programmes confirm patients' quality of life can be improved while significantly reducing costs http://ow.ly/Q8dR0